What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry refers to dental treatments that improve the appearance of your teeth, gums and smile. There are number of treatments which can enhance your dental appearance. Dr Mandev Singh will be able to advise the most suitable options based on your current concerns, desired outcomes and provide fees for these procedures. These procedures can include bleaching, replacing discoloured fillings, veneers, crowns, bridges and implants. Dr Mandev Singh and his team at Shailer Park Dental can recommend you and your family the best cosmetic treatment options if you are looking to improve your teeth and smile.

Assess your Suitability for Cosmetic Dental Treatment:

Are you embarrassed by your smile?

Do you have crooked, stained teeth?

Do you have teeth that are too small or large?

Are you unhappy with the colour and overall appearance of your teeth & smile?

Do you wish to have a more youthful smile appearance?

Do you sub-consciously cover your mouth when speaking or laughing?

Are any of your front teeth missing?

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures:

1. Teeth Whitening:
Always wanted a whiter and brighter smile? Teeth whitening is a safe procedure that can lighten stained or discoloured teeth.

Tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol, food additives, some developmental blemishes and natural ageing all contribute to the discolouring and yellowing of teeth. While a professional dental clean can remove some staining, teeth whitening is very effective and affordable cosmetic dental treatment that can provide patients with great results that whiten the colour of teeth which have discoloured over time. Teeth whitening, if maintained correctly, can leave you with results that last. As teeth whitening agents have varying levels of peroxide in them, all procedures should only be carried out by qualified dentists who use a clinically proven whitening systems. Shailer Park Dental recommends as first choice customised home bleaching systems that have stood the test of time, are effective and re-usable.

What is involved in teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening procedures are typically carried out at home by the patient following a consultation with a dentist. Teeth whitening may not be appropriate for all patients, so before commencing any teeth whitening procedure it is best to discuss expected outcomes and time frames with us.

Where appropriate, we will take impressions of your teeth to prepare a custom-made ultra-thin bleaching trays. The tray is used to hold the bleaching gel close to the teeth. Whitening gel is placed in the tray which is then worn overnight or during the day. Results are usually seen within two weeks. We will advise you on how long to wear the tray both initially and for maintenance.

In some circumstances, in office whitening procedures are provided in the dental chair. We may apply a protective substance to your gums before placing whitening gel directly to your teeth. This treatment is repeated in 15-20 minutes intervals for 1 hour. In office whitening gives you fast results but does have to be followed with a home bleaching kit for long term results. Shailer Park Dental advises this be done only if you required the whitening immediately.

The cost of teeth whitening will vary depending on the type of procedure. We will be able to provide you with a cost estimate prior to any treatment.

2. Veneers:
Veneers offer patients the opportunity to improve the overall appearance of teeth and create a beautiful smile. Veneers have the ability to “dress-up” teeth, improve your smile and can change your appearance to give you that beautiful smile you desire.

Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin facings that are bonded to the front of teeth. They are between 0.3mm and 0.5mm thick and are often used as an alternative to crowns.

They are extremely thin and in most cases require less of the natural tooth to be removed when compared to crowns. Veneers are strong and durable, making them a popular cosmetic dental treatment for creating a beautiful smile.

Veneers can be the solution to a variety of dental problems. Some of these include:

Crooked, oddly shaped or misaligned teeth

Crowded teeth

Broken, chipped or worn teeth

Gaps between teeth

Permanently stained or discoloured teeth

Other benefits of veneers include:

Dark lines are unlikely to form around the veneer

Translucency gives a much more natural look

Cost effective treatment option, especially composite resin veneers

Conservative treatment that require less of the natural tooth to be removed

In some cases, veneers can be used as an alternative to orthodontic treatment

Require no additional maintenance other than regular good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups

Composite resin veneers are a less expensive alternative to ceramic veneers but do not give as good an aesthetic as ceramic. They also do not last as long and so may require earlier replacement & are more prone to chipping & breaking.

3. Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are a custom-made restoration which fits over the prepared existing natural tooth and replaces the natural crown, which is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gums. Dental crowns can be used for strength, durability and tooth stability, or for cosmetic reasons to enhance the appearance of a tooth.

4. Dental Implants:
One of the most exciting and successful advances in modern dentistry is the dental implant. Implants are the treatment of choice when natural teeth are lost due to trauma, decay or poor past treatment choices. Dr Mandev Singh offers patients cosmetic dental treatments to replace lost or missing teeth with dental implants. Dental implants are a proven long-term solution for functionality and appearance. Dental implants can be thought of as artificial roots that are securely anchored in the jaw. They are cylindrical devices made of medical grade titanium which are placed in the site of a missing tooth or teeth where they biologically bond with the bone. These implants are crowned with a ceramic crown that matches into your existing teeth and smile line.

The key to success in implant work is planning and diagnostic work up before treatment is commenced. A through oral examination is conducted with x-rays, 3-d scans, diagnostic models and medical history is done to determine the best implant system and site for placement. Our patients are advised on what is possible and of fees involved.

In experienced hands, dental implant surgery is now a routine and very successful dental procedure and is considered the best way to effectively replace missing teeth. Dental implants allow patients to regain what they have lost and enjoy improved appearance, function and quality of life. Dental implants provide ‘new teeth’ for people who have lost natural adult teeth.

Placing Implants:
This is a local anaesthetic procedure done whilst you are awake. The procedure is generally painless and not traumatic contrary to most expectations. The implant has grooves and channels to allow your bone to grow through, in and around the implant and integrate it into your jaw. Quite literally, you grow into it! This piece of the implant acts as a anchor for the second phase of the implant placement which is the crown placement.